Competitive golf is back in Metro Vancouver and Charlie Derrheim has wasted little time in making an impression.
The 15-year-old Beach Grove Golf Club junior member captured Vancouver Golf Tour’s Mayfair Lakes Amateur on Saturday in Richmond.
Derrheim rallied to post an even par 71 and finish one shot ahead of Kyle Dunne and Jay Xu in the 16-player championship flight. He birdied the par-4 16th hole, then pulled ahead with another birdie on the par-5 523-yard signature 18th hole. It was his fourth birdie on the back nine.
There was more local flavor with Russell Howlett finishing in fifth with a 2-over 73 while Alex Zhang finished tied for seventh at 75.
It was Derrheim’s first competitive tournament since early April when he competed at the Maple Leaf Junior Tour’s stop at Morgan Creek in Surrey. COVID-19 health restrictions had put all local golf tours on hold until ViaSport’s Re-Start plan commenced on May 25.
Derrheim used the pause in play to work on all aspects of his game, especially his touch around the greens, and it certainly has paid off.
Golf runs deep in his family with his dad Brent Derrheim being the head professional at Beach Grove, while his mom, Tracey Lipp-Derrheim is a Delta Sports Hall of Fame member and a former Canadian Amateur champion.
